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Monday, September 24, 2012

Fiat Lineaand the Fiat Punto now come in an attractive limited edition model. These limited edition models are being offered with a free festive accessory pack worth Rs 78,000 on the Linea and Rs 67,000 on the Punto.

The limited editions of the Linea and Punto feature additional accessories like Touch screen GPS navigation systems, reverse parking sensors, contoured splash guards, branded door sills as also carpets and branded 'Absolute' branding on the exterior of the vehicle. The GPS system comes with a 3G tablet which offers customers smart phone functionality.

The tablet is powered with a 1.0 GHz processor and is compatible with the Android 2.3 OS platform. Apart from phone functionality, multimedia and Bluetooth features, the tablet also boasts of 3D maps which make navigation fun.

These Absolute edition models are expected to be tagged with the price of regular model variants Active, Dynamic and Emotion. It is also estimated that the car maker will be offering goodies such as 50 per cent free insurance and Roadside Assistance.

Ravi Bhatia, head, business development - Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited said, Fiat has exhilarating plans for this festival season. To celebrate and share the festivities with our customers, the launch of the Absolute Edition offers them additional benefits at the same price. India is an important market for us and this endeavour is an important step for FIAT in that direction. We came out with this celebratory offer keeping the consumers sentiments and their needs in mind where they can avail maximum benefits at no extra cost.

Earlier the company came out with the launch of 2012 model of the Fiat Punto Grande 90 HP edition with additional features, engine-technical campaign and two Fiat caffes - company's exclusive showroom - at Pune and Delhi.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Mahindra Quanto is the much hyped Mahindra Mini Xylo. The SUV king maker Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday launched its maiden compact SUV Quanto at Rs 5.82 lakh. The first compact SUV from the stable of Mahindra will also go global in the next three to four months.

The exports of the Quanto will reach to neigbhouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka besides South Africa to begin with, which would be followed by Europe and Latin America, M&M president for automotive & farm equipment sectors Pawan Goenka said after the launch. "The Quanto which is our first compact SUV, will create a new category within the SUV segment," he said, adding the Mahindra is aiming to sell around 200 units a month initially.

The under 4-meter Quanto price starts at Rs 5.82 to Rs 7.36 lakh, and has been based on the Ingenio platform, which is the same as the one for the Mahindra Xylo.

The company has invested Rs 100 crore in developing the five-seater Quanto, Goenka said, adding the new car will be produced at its Nashik facility.

M&M has a combined capacity of 7,000 units for the Xylo and the Quanto, he said. Quanto will face competition from recently launched Renault Duster by Renault in the compact SUV segment.

The French auto major has priced the Duster between Rs 8.35 and 11.8 lakh. All the Quanto variants are powered by a 1.5 litre mCR100 diesel engine giving an output of 100 bhp.

Dr Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, "The launch of Quanto, our first compact SUV, is another defining moment in our automotive journey. For the Mahindra Group, the Quanto represents yet another example of our alternative thinking approach. It has been developed keeping in mind the evolving needs of our customers. I am confident that the Quanto will create a new category within the SUV segment while offering a unique value proposition to our customers".

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Honda Civic unlike most of its other contemporaries looks from another generation. Not only does it look like a car from the future but it truly is. The modern saloon design with a cab-forward stance is shaped to cleave the wind. It also stands apart with the one of a kind vertical space and is appreciably lower slung than the Corolla.

The quality of interiors is equally up to the task and is simply wonderful. The Civic not only gives its competitors a run for their money but also makes them go into hiding when it comes to the interior quality. While most car interiors look well, the Civic’s insides make it look like a spacecraft!

The new Honda Civic engine smokes up to 130bhp with the 1.8-litre motor. Improving on the famous VTEC system, this new engine hits the 100kph in 9.5 seconds. While this is quick, we were mildly disappointed that the Civic was not quicker; its performance doesn’t reflect the quantum leap the car has taken in many other areas.

The low centre of gravity, long wheelbase, wide front and rear tracks and rigid body makes sure that the car sticks to the road and gives you a race track feel. Body roll is a thing of the past and the quick steering ensures that you can throw the car around the corners coupled with good front-end grip. The braking inspires a lot of confidence and the overall body control is quite good.

The Civic is probably one of the best cars you can buy. You get complete value for money with comfort, performance, and a host of features. Then there is the decent fuel economy at a reasonable price, no class of car can claim to deliver more bang for your buck. And it comes from one of the most accomplished carmakers in the world. You can also check out the likes of the Chevrolet Cruze and the Toyota Corolla Altis.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Hyundai Motor India Limited has now gotten a step closer to you and your car. The company this time around has come out with a 10 day Free Car Care Clinic campaign in India which will be conducted from over 830 locations spanning the entire country. This Free Car Care Clinic will be conducted from 14th to 23rd September 2012 from where HMIL will be offering extended warranty and huge discounts on all spare parts.

The nationwide event sponsor M/s Shell India is also offering various attractive schemes during this Clinic. The 'Free Car Care Clinic' will offer a comprehensive 80 point check-up and a thorough examination of the engine, transmission, electrical system, under-body, AC, exterior, etc. The service is even more attractive by offering a 20% discount on labor charges during this limited offer period.

Long time Hyundai customers are also in for a delight with the company. Customers with over a period of four years will be offered prizes in the form of 100 extended warranties, 9 Grand Stand tickets to the upcoming F1 races and a host of other prizes which will specially awarded to those attending the camp.

Announcing the launch of the campaign, Mr. C. H. Han, Executive Director, HMIL said, "At Hyundai we believe in keeping pace with the evolving customer needs and preferences. Our customer engagement programmes like 'Free Car Care Clinic' allows us to understand their requirements and helps us connect with them. Through these initiatives we reaffirm our commitment to provide the best of products and services to our customers and enjoy a value-added ownership experience."

The 10 day free services camp has been perfectly timed with festive season round the corner and is sure expected to do wonder for the company. Hyundai recently also came out the new versions of Hyundai i10 and Hyundai i20 in the name of Hyundai i-Gen i20 and Hyundai i-Gen i10.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

No car is complete without car accessories. In fact the word car accessories is just an understatement. There are some car accessories that you just cannot do without. Here is a list containing the most essential of car accessories.

Safety is always a priority and there are number of devices to keep your car free from trouble. To deter car thieves, the Remote locking system, gear locks and steering locks are a must have.

Remote locking systems saves you the trouble of using the ignition key to lock the car, and the alarm warns you in case of any un warranted entry. Most systems come with an impact detection sensor as well which sets off the alarm even if a window is tempered with. A basic remote locking system costs Rs 2500.Puncture repair kit

You will never know when the dreaded puncture comes back to haunt you. Puncture repair kit makes sure that in spite of running out of air you can be back on the track in a jiffy. They are as simple as do it yourself jobs and enables you to fix a punctured tyre without waiting for a rescue service. There are various kits to choose from the likes of puncture seals to rubber cement. You also have some next gen repair kits like air canisters to inflate the tyres, but an electronic tyre inflator is recommended. These kits can only repair punctures on the tread and not on the side walls.

First thing people notice about your car is how clean the car looks. So the next time you drive if you want people to notice your car then make sure you have a car cover. A car cover keeps a car dirt and dust free when parked besides bird droppings, rain sunlight and the elements. A fabric cover is effective indoors. For the outdoors, a water-resistant cover with a soft inner lining is recommended. Ensure the cover fits your car snugly to avert dirt creeping in. The cost depends on the car and the material.

Keeping the car clean on the outside is only half the job done. Most of our time is spent inside the car. Car mats are just the perfect way to keep the car floor clean. Make sure that your car mat has grooves to keep them from moving around. There are mats that also channels water across the mat. Go for mats with raised edges that prevent water, mud and contaminants from flowing on to the floor.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Tata Aria is now a lot more practical with the launch of the two wheel drive variant. Unlike other cars the Aria has always been a class apart. The engine is the same old DiCOR motor that retains the smooth nature, the good sound and the flat ride. In term of design and styling Aria is one the best looking products from Tata after the Tata Indica Vista.

The power also makes its presence felt. In spite of being full, the Aria has enough kick in it and expresses through the highway. The ride is pliant and composed on the highway.

The interiors stand up to its class and there is no place for the word claustrophobia. The dash design is quiet handy and the seats are comfy as they can get. There is plenty of space in the front two rows. Even the third-row passengers had very little to complain about.

The flipside shows itself up in the form of daily city commutation. The big size is always at risk. The relatively light clutch and light steering make life easy, but the car feels way too big. The blind spots are also quite a reality in spite of having wide mirrors. An average fuel-efficiency figure of 12kpl is not bad, taking into account that the Aria was mostly driven fully loaded.

The Aria is a fantastic car to own and this in itself is a big compliment to any Tata car. It’s a great long-distance cruiser and, combined with the huge, comfortable cabin; it’s a combination hard to match. The Tata Aria is a decent SUV for the price and while most niggling problems can be overlooked. You can also check out the likes of the Mahindra Xylo and the Toyota Innova.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Renault will launch the new C-segment sedan, the Scala, on 7 September. The Scala will be the remixed version of the Nissan Sunny. In spite of being a look alike it will be positioned higher than the Nissan Sunny. The Scala will look to go against the likes of the Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Verna. It looks like the company is living up to the reputation of its new Renault Scala which says “It’s time to Step up!”

The Renault Scala shares everything with the Nissan Sunny, but to differentiate the two, Renault has reworked the car with what they like to refer to as a little French flair. The large headlights have a smoked look, the front bumper and grille have been revised and resemble that of the Pulse hatchback, the rear sports Skoda inspired tail lights and a neat chrome strip which actually does visually lighten up the back. The Scala also comes with alloy wheels as standard fitment, which does its part in enhancing the Scala's exterior appeal. Overall the exterior treatment is rather basic and you really wish that Renault had done a bit more to make the Scala significantly different from the Sunny. However the changes do stand out enough to make the Scala the better looking car of the two, so at least Renault managed to achieve that aspect.

The interiors will boast a classy beige finish draping the dashboard, seats and the door lining and the higher variants are expected to be upholstered with leather.

Renault Scala sedan range is expected to start at Rs.5.9 lakhs (ex-showroom New Delhi) while top of the end models will be priced between Rs.50,000 to Rs.80,000 in excess. Petrol Scala will be powered by a XH2 engine while the diesel counterparts will possess a K9K diesel engine. The former, a 1498cc engine will offer 97.6bhp at 6000 rpm and torque at 134 Nm at 4000 rpm while the latter will be a 1461cc engine with 84.8 Bhp and 200 Nm torque. The petrol engine will be mated to a 5 speed automatic and manual gearbox while the diesel engine will be just a manual one. Longer wheelbase of 2600 mm means that the Scala will comfortably seat upto 5 adults and boot space will stand at 490 liters.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Volkswagen Polo and the Volkswagen Vento Highline variants go under the knife. Both the cars come with tweaks in terms of the looks and many more features. The new cars also come at a mouth watering price of Rs 6.94 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the new Polo Highline, while the Vento sedan will be available at Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). This means the Polo and the Vento is around Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 cheaper respectively.

Getting down to the details, the Polo Highline facelift new features include Black Headlamps, New design alloy wheels, Leather wrapped steering wheel, Leather wrapped gearshift knob and handbrake lever handle, RCD 310 music system with USB connectivity, Speed sensing volume control for music system, Multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth Device as optional.

On the other hand the Vento Highline facelift new features include New design alloy wheels, Black Headlamps, 4 Speakers, Navigation system with rear view camera and Bluetooth as an optional feature.

Volkswagen will start sales of the refreshed carlines by second half of September 2012 through all its 108 dealerships across the country. Commenting on the same, Mr. Arvind Saxena, Managing Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The introduction of new features in the Polo and the Vento will further excite the customers as both the carlines will offer much more value now.”Adding further, “The introduction of these features will pave the path for higher volumes for these carlines.”

Off late the demand for cars in India has been severely impacted by expensive loans and high fuel prices, as well as a slowing economy. But sales is expected to rise during the festive season most notably during Diwali, the festival of lights, on Nov. 14 which most people in India consider a good and lucky time to make purchases.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Maruti Ritz diesel comes with a new signature style. The new car starts with a price of Rs 5.31 lakh onwards (ex-showroom Delhi). With a host of new features the top end ZDi variant sells at Rs 6.23 lakh that offers all the features of the petrol ZXi variant and a fuel efficiency figure of 23.2kmpl, an improvement over the previous 21.1kmpl.

The new ZDi variant gets interior upgrades such as a multi-information display on the instrument panel, a new audio system with USB and electrically adjustable wing mirrors. The top-of-the-line variant also gets alloy wheels, steering mounted controls and dual front airbags. The new Ritz is available only in diesel version. A pleasant delight is the 10% improvement in fuel efficiency from 21.1 kmpl to 23.2 kmpl for the Ritz Diesel, which has been achieved with numerous initiatives by the Company’s engineers. These include use of reduced friction engine and calibration optimization.

Manohar Bhat, vice president (marketing) Maruti Suzuki India said, "Numerous changes being introduced now will make the Ritz brand more vibrant. Most important, the new Ritz is more fuel-efficient with enhanced driving comfort. This makes it even more attractive for the customer and also gives us confidence to generate additional sales." The Ritz has already crossed a sales mark of over 2,00,000 units in a span of just 3 years.

The new Ritz diesel will run on a 1248cc DDiS engine that smokes out 190Nm at 2000rpm and a power of 73.9bhp at 4000rpm. The powertrain comes with 5-step multi-injection technology. Meanwhile its Toyota Etios LivaDiesel starts at price of 5.66 lakhs to 5.96 lakhs. The Ford Figo on the other hand starts at price of Rs 4.79 lakh to 5.94 lakhs. It also comes in three new colours. The three new shades are breeze blue, mystique red and granite grey.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Maruti Alto 800 is inching closer to reality. The next generation Alto will be a rip off the existing car. It will also run on the same 796cc three-cylinder motor (F8D). However it has been tweaked to meet the latest emission norms.

The best part is new Alto 800 will be a slot below the Alto which is expected to be a mouth watering deal in the entry level segment. The changes are expected to come in the form of all-new interiors. It is also expected to be more spacious than before to shake off its match box tag.

In terms of the looks it will still stick to its basic design, with the nose getting high-mounted headlights, a slim, slot-like grille and a huge secondary air-inlet opening above and below the bumper. Drivers of the new Maruti Alto will have a bird’s eye with a wider, U-shaped rear-windscreen for better visibility, and there is a wide tailgate for better accessibility to the cargo bay.

The new 800 will however retain the tried and tested running gear of the current car. The suspension is a strong but basic and cost-effective MacPherson strut setup in front and a coil spring torsion beam axle at the rear. Expect better interior packaging to liberate a few vital centimetres. Crash protection should be better than the old car too, thanks to the Alto’s more up-to-date chassis.

Maruti is targeting a sub-Rs 2 lakh price for the new Maruti 800 to distance it from the Alto by at least Rs 40,000 and put it smack into Nano territory. Maruti is expected to launch the car during the festival season to push up its volumes and make up for the business that it lost due to the riots at its Manesar plant. The word is that the car might be rolled out in September, but we still believe that the small car major might wait till October to launch the model. It is expected to stir the hornet’s nest against the likes of the Tata Nano and the Hyundai Eon.

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